When Christopher Makepeace helped present a $10,000 check from the A.D. Makepeace Company to the Wareham Library Foundation, he had a famous proverb in mind: “It’s better to raise strong children than to fix broken adults.”

“That kind of puts it all in perspective,” Makepeace said at the Thursday, Oct. 27 presentation. “It’s all about kids that grow up in this town. I grew up in Wareham. I love Wareham. It’s a wonderful town.”

The donation is part of a challenge grant that raised over $21,000 for the Library Foundation, the second that A.D. Makepeace has given the Foundation in as many years. Eighty percent of the Wareham Free Library’s funding comes from tax dollars. The Wareham Library Foundation and Friends of the Wareham Free Library must “bridge the gap” between the Town’s funding and the rest of the money they need, inspiring the Library’s “Bridge the Gap” campaign.

“We love every single thing the library does,” said Jim Kane, President and CEO of the A.D. Makepeace Company. “The issues of literacy are key to everyone, whether you’re a business or a parent. Everything the library does is something that we want to be a part of.”

“A community is as strong as their library,” said Liz Wiley, Board Member of the Wareham Library Foundation.

The $10,000 will go towards materials and staffing for the Library. Last year, the Library needed computers, and grant money from the likes of A.D. Makepeace helped the Library get them. The computers can be used for job searching and discovering new hobbies. 

Kane said that access to computers and the Internet at libraries across the country have kept them relevant and thriving in the 21st century. 

“Some were predicting the death of the library five or ten years ago,” Kane said. “What I saw was the rebirth of the library. It’s all about opening kids’ eyes to new interests and opportunities, and ultimately paving the way for being a more successful citizen and a more involved member of the community.”